Astra 3B launch delayed again

The launch of SES Astra’s latest satellite has been delayed for a second time following an anomaly in the launch vehicle’s pressurisation system.

Astra 3B was scheduled to launch from Kourou in French Guiana on April 9 but launch company Arianespace postponed it after detecting the anomaly. Another anomaly prevented a previous launch on March 26. Astra said a new launch date would be revealed in due time.

The satellite will be located at 23.5° East where it will deliver DTH services, mainly to the Benelux and eastern Europe, as well as two-way broadband services across Europe and the Middle East.